Cuttly: what it is, how it works & who it's for

Budget-friendly URL shortener with branded links, QR codes, link-in-bio and surveys

Updated · Pricing checked October 2026

What is Cuttly?

Cuttly is a link management platform and URL shortener that turns long links into short, trackable ones and shows who clicks them. It supports branded domains, so short links can carry your own domain, and it adds tools many shorteners charge extra for, including QR codes, link-in-bio pages, surveys and A/B/C link testing. Its generous monthly link limits make it a value choice for marketers who create many links.

Cuttly gives each short link a long list of options: custom slugs, UTM parameters, password protection, expiration dates, mobile redirects and retargeting pixels from Meta, Google Ads, LinkedIn, TikTok and others. Analytics break down clicks by device, operating system, browser, location and referrer, with hourly heat maps on paid plans. Teams get shared dashboards and roles on higher tiers, and a REST API plus connectors like Zapier and Make support automation.

Cuttly at a glance

Cuttly infographic: how it works in 4 steps, key features, pricing model and who it is best for
Cuttly at a glance. Share or embed this infographic with a link to this page.

How does Cuttly work?

  1. Shorten a link

    Paste a URL into the dashboard and get a cutt.ly link, then set a custom slug, UTM tags or a password if needed.

  2. Connect a branded domain

    Add your own domain or subdomain so links show your brand instead of cutt.ly.

  3. Add extras

    Generate a QR code, place the link on a link-in-bio page, attach pixels or set up an A/B/C test.

  4. Group and measure

    Tag links into campaigns and compare clicks by device, location, referrer and time in the analytics view.

Cuttly key features

URL shortener

Custom slugs, UTM builder, passwords, expirations, mobile redirects and A/B/C testing for each link.

Branded domains

Connect one domain on the free plan and up to 99 on Team Enterprise.

QR codes

Generates QR codes for links, bio pages and surveys, with customizable styles on Single and above.

Link in Bio

Mini landing pages that group key links, on cutt.ly, cutt.bio or a custom domain.

Surveys

Builds surveys with several question types and exportable responses.

Retargeting pixels

Adds Meta, Google Ads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest and other pixels to short links.

Team workspace and API

Shared dashboards, domains and roles, plus a REST API and a Team API.

Why use Cuttly?

  • High monthly link limits for the price compared with many competitors.
  • Surveys, link-in-bio and QR codes come bundled with the shortener.
  • Retargeting pixels let you build ad audiences from people who click your links.
  • A permanent free plan includes a branded domain.
  • Automation connectors such as Zapier, Make and Pabbly save manual work.

Who is Cuttly best for?

A good fit for

  • Freelance marketers and small agencies on a budget
  • Social media managers needing link-in-bio pages
  • Advertisers who want retargeting pixels on short links
  • Teams creating thousands of links per month

Less suited to

  • Enterprises needing SSO and dedicated account management on standard plans
  • Brands focused on packaging QR codes and GS1 compliance

Cuttly pricing

Pricing modelFreemium
Free planYes
Free trialNot confirmed
Starting price$12/month (Starter)

Single ($25/month), Team ($99/month) and Team Enterprise ($149/month) raise link, domain, bio page and survey limits. Annual billing saves about one month, and a Custom plan is available through sales.

Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official Cuttly pricing page before you buy.

Cuttly pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong value with generous link limits
  • Many link options, including pixels and A/B/C tests
  • Bundled surveys and link-in-bio pages
  • Free plan includes a branded domain

Cons

  • Free and Starter plans limit QR code styling
  • Less brand recognition than Bitly
  • No dedicated mobile apps mentioned on its website

Cuttly integrations and platforms

Works with

  • Zapier
  • Make
  • Zoho Flow
  • Pabbly
  • Pipedream
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Segment
  • Meta
  • Google Ads
  • TikTok

Available on

  • Web
  • API

Cuttly alternatives

Cuttly FAQ

Is Cuttly free?

Yes. Cuttly has a permanent free plan with 30 short links per month, one branded domain, basic QR codes, one link-in-bio page and one survey. Paid plans start with Starter at $12 per month and raise the limits, with Single at $25 per month adding customizable QR codes.

What is Cuttly used for?

Cuttly is used to shorten and brand links and to track how people click them. Marketers also use it to make QR codes, build link-in-bio pages, run simple surveys, test multiple destinations and attach retargeting pixels so link clicks can feed ad audiences.

Cuttly vs Bitly: which should I choose?

Cuttly gives far more short links per month for the money, plus surveys, pixels and link-in-bio pages, which suits budget-conscious marketers. Bitly is better known, has stronger QR code and landing page tools, and offers enterprise features. Choose by volume, budget and how much brand recognition matters.

Can I use a custom domain with Cuttly?

Yes. Cuttly supports branded domains on every plan, including one domain on the free plan. Higher tiers allow more, up to 99 domains on Team Enterprise. You can connect a domain or subdomain you own and use it for short links and link-in-bio pages.

Does Cuttly have an API?

Yes. Cuttly offers a REST API for creating links and pulling analytics, plus a Team API for shared workspaces. It also connects with automation tools such as Zapier, Make, Zoho Flow and Pabbly, so you can generate short links automatically from other apps.

Sources

This overview is based on Cuttly's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.